U.S. patent number 5,459,586 [Application Number 07/960,820] was granted by the patent office on 1995-10-17 for image processing system provided with image enchasing and synthesizing function.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kiyomasa Endoh, Yoichi Nagasato, Hiroshi Sekine.
United States Patent |
5,459,586 |
Nagasato , et al. |
October 17, 1995 |
Image processing system provided with image enchasing and
synthesizing function
Abstract
Disclosed is an image processing system which is provided with
an image enchasing and synthesizing function for setting an image
in a trimmed area of an extracted original sheet into a masked area
on a base original sheet and synthesizing the images of the two
original sheets. The image processing system includes an area
setting section for setting up a masked area on a base original
sheet and a trimmed area on an extracted original sheet with
positions of the masked area and the trimmed area set properly in
alignment with a center of a circumscribed rectangle, an image
input section for performing a reading operation on the base
original sheet and a reading operation on the extracted original
sheet as adjusted to the trimmed area set by the area setting
section, an image processing section for performing a masking
operation on image data on the base original sheet and an enchasing
operation for image data on the extracted original sheet on the
basis of a setup of editing areas by the area setting section, and
an image output section for putting out image data obtained by
enchasing and synthesizing an image of the trimmed area in the
masked area on the base original sheet.
Inventors: |
Nagasato; Yoichi (Kanagawa,
JP), Sekine; Hiroshi (Kanagawa, JP), Endoh;
Kiyomasa (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
17448805 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/960,820 |
Filed: |
October 14, 1992 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 16, 1991 [JP] |
|
|
3-267732 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/450; 358/452;
358/453 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/3872 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/387 (20060101); H04N 001/21 () |
Field of
Search: |
;358/452,453,537,538,450,540 ;395/135,146,147 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wong; Peter S.
Assistant Examiner: Gibson; Randy W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow,
Garrett & Dunner
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image processing system comprising:
area setting means for setting up a masked area on a base original
sheet and a trimmed area on an extracted original sheet, positions
of the masked area and the trimmed area being correlated with each
other such that centers of rectangles circumscribing the masked
area and the trimmed area are in alignment with each other;
image input means for performing a reading operation on the base
original sheet and a reading operation on a portion of the
extracted original sheet, the portion including the trimmed area
set by said area setting means;
image processing means for performing a masking operation on image
data of the base original sheet and performing an enchasing
operation on image data of the portion of the extracted original
sheet on the basis of a correlation of the positions of the masked
area and the trimmed area set by said area setting means; and
image output means, responsive to image data obtained by the
masking operation and image data obtained by the enchasing
operation, for forming a synthesized image in which an image of the
trimmed area is enchased in the masked area of the base original
sheet.
2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein said
image input means performs a reading scan once on the base original
sheet and a reading scan three times on the extracted original
sheet, and wherein said image output means forms a partial image of
the synthesized image by a development process in black in response
to image data obtained through the reading scan performed on the
base original sheet and forms another partial image of the
synthesized image by a development process in three colors in
response to image data obtained through the reading scans performed
on the extracted original sheet.
3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein said
area setting means determines a portion of the trimmed area to be
enchased within the masked area of the base original sheet by
arithmetic operations for a logical product of the trimmed area
with the masked area.
4. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein said
area setting means calculates a ratio in size of the rectangles
circumscribing the masked area and the trimmed area to set up the
trimmed area as magnified or reduced in size on the basis of the
ratio.
5. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein said
image input means changes scanning speed for the extracted original
sheet in accordance with the ratio, moving a scanning area for the
extracted original sheet in a subsidiary scanning direction in
keeping with the trimmed area.
6. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein said
image processing means performs a reducing and magnifying process
in accordance with the ratio, by shifting the image data read out
for the trimmed area, in a main scanning direction.
7. A method of enchasing and synthesizing images comprising the
steps of:
setting up a masked area on a base original sheet and a trimmed
area on an extracted original sheet, positions for the masked area
and the trimmed area being correlated with each other such that
centers of rectangles circumscribing the masked area and the
trimmed area are in alignment with each other;
reading the base original sheet and a portion of the extracted
original sheet, the portion including the trimmed area;
creating first image data of an image in which the base original
sheet is masked with the masked area;
creating second image data of an image to be enchased within the
masked area of the base original sheet on the basis of a
correlation of the positions of the masked area and the trimmed
area; and
responsive to the first and second image data, forming a
synthesized image in which an image of the trimmed area is enchased
in the masked area of the base original sheet.
8. An image processing system comprising:
area setting means for setting up a nonrectangular masked area on a
base original sheet and a nonrectangular trimmed area on an
extracted original sheet, positions of the nonrectangular masked
area and the nonrectangular trimmed area being correlated with each
other such that centers of rectangles circumscribing the
nonrectangular masked area and the nonrectangular trimmed area are
in alignment with each other;
image input means for performing a reading operation on the base
original sheet and a reading operation on a portion of the
extracted original sheet, the portion including the nonrectangular
trimmed area set by said area setting means;
image processing means for performing a masking operation on image
data of the base original sheet and performing an enchasing
operation on image data of the portion of the extracted original
sheet on the basis of a correlation of the positions of the
nonrectangular masked area and the nonrectangular trimmed area set
by said area setting means; and
image input means, responsive to image data obtained by the masking
operation and image data obtained by the enchasing operation, for
forming a synthesized image in which an image of the nonrectangular
trimmed area is enchased in the nonrectangular masked area of the
base original sheet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing system which
is provided with an image enchasing and synthesizing function for
setting an image in a trimmed area of an extracted original sheet
into a masked area on a base original sheet and synthesizing the
images of the two original sheets.
FIG. 9 is a chart which illustrates an example of the construction
of a conventional color digital copying machine (for example, such
a copying machine described in Japanese Patent Unexamined
Publication No. Hei. 2-223275), in which an image input terminal
(IIT) 100 reads a color original sheet as decomposed into the three
primary colors, namely, black (B), green (G), and red (R) of light
by means of charge coupled device (CCD) line sensors and converts
the read color signals into digital image data, and an image output
terminal (IOT) 115 performs exposure with a laser beam and
development and thereby reproduces the color image. Then, the
devices ranging from an equivalent neutral density (END) converting
circuit 101 to an IOT interface 110, which are positioned between
the IIT 100 and the IOT 115, form an editorial processing system
for such image data as mentioned above (image processing system:
IPS), and this image processing system (IPS) converts such image
data in B, G, and R into data in the colors of the coloring
materials, namely, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)
and feeds the IOT 115 with a coloring material signal corresponding
to the particular color to be developed in each cycle of
development.
Also, the IIT 100 reads the image data on each of the primary
colors, B, G, and R in the size of 16 dots per mm for one pixel by
means of a CCD line sensor and puts out the data in 24 bits (which
are composed of eight bits for each of the three colors in 256
chromatic gradations). The CCD line sensors, which are respectively
provided with a filter for B, G, or R on their top surfaces and
have a length of 300 mm at the density of 16 dots per mm, perform a
scan at the rate of 16 lines per mm at the processing speed of
190.5 mm/sec, and therefore puts out the read data on each of the
colors at a speed of approximately 15 M pixels per second. Then,
the IIT 100 performs a log conversion of the analog data on the
pixels for B, G, and R, thereby converting the information based on
the reflection factor into information on density and further
converts the density information into digital data.
The image processing system (IPS) receives as input the signals on
B, G, and R as subjected to a color decomposition from the IIT 100
and performs various kinds of data processing operations in order
to enhance the quality of reproduction of the colors, the quality
of reproduction of the chromatic gradations, the quality of
reproduction of the details of images, and so forth, and converts
the coloring material signals on the development process colors
into on/off signals, to apply the signals obtained by this
conversion to the IOT 115. The END converting module 101 makes
adjustments (conversion) to form color signals as subjected to gray
balancing, and a color masking module 102 converts the signals
subjected to the gray balancing process into signals corresponding
to the quantities of the coloring materials in Y, M, and C, by
performing matrix arithmetic operations on the color signals on B,
G, and R. An original sheet size detecting module 103 is a module
which performs the detection of the size of the original sheet at
the time of a pre-scan and a platen color erasure (frame erasure)
at the time of an original sheet reading scan, and a color
converting module 104 performs a conversion of a specified color in
a specified area in accordance with an area signal fed to it from
an area image control module 111. Then, an under-color removal
(UCR) and black generating module 105 is a module which generates
an adequate amount of black K, so that turbidity will not be caused
in the colors, and reduces the process colors Y, M, and C by their
respective equivalent amounts in accordance with the amount of the
generated K and also serves as a gate for the K-signal and the
signals as obtained on the process colors Y, M, and C after they
are subjected to the under-color removal. A space filter 106 is a
non-linear digital filter which is provided with the function for
rectifying a blur and the function for removing a moire, and a tone
reproduction control (TRC) module 107 performs such processes as
density control, contrast control, negative-positive reversal, and
color balancing for improving the quality of reproduced images. A
reduction and magnification processing module 108 performs reducing
and magnifying operations in the main scanning direction, and the
reducing and magnifying operations in the subsidiary scanning
direction are performed through adjustment of the scanning speed on
the original sheet. A screen generator 109 converts the coloring
material signals on the process colors expressed in multiple
chromatic gradations into signals turned into on/off signals formed
in binary values in accordance with the chromatic gradations and
puts out the resulting signals, and these coloring material signals
thus turned into binary signals are applied to the IOT 115 through
the IOT interface module 110. Then, the area image control module
111 has an area generating circuit and a switch matrix, and the
editing control module, which has an area command memory (plane
memory) 112, a color palette video switch circuit 113, a font
buffer 114, and so forth, performs multifarious editing
controls.
An area image control module 111 has a construction by which it is
capable of setting seven rectangular areas and their order of
priority in the area generating circuit, and area control
information will be set in the switch matrix in correspondence with
the individual areas. The available control information includes
information on color conversion, color modes, namely, monochromatic
color or full colors, etc., information for the selection of
modulations, such as those for photographs and characters,
information for the selection of tone reproduction control (TRC),
information for the selection of the screen generator, and so
forth, and these types of control information are used for the
control of the color masking module 102, the color converting
module 104, the UCR and black generating module 105, the space
filter 106, and the tone reproduction control (TRC) module 107.
Moreover, the switch matrix may be set up with software.
The editing control module is a module which makes it possible to
perform coloring of an outline drawing, by which the module reads
an original sheet with a graph not in a rectangular shape but in a
circular shape and paints out a specified area, which is not
limited as to its shape, with a specified color, and, working with
area commands in four bits written to four plane memories, sets
editing commands at individual points on the original sheet in four
bits on the four plane memories.
FIG. 10 is a chart illustrating an example of the construction of
the plane memories, and this example shows a construction comprised
of a total of six planes of memories, namely, two planes in binary
values for works and four planes for picture drawing. As the plane
memories are used to set commands for processing editing jobs on a
given area, their memory capacity is reduced by reducing the
resolving power to four dots per mm. Therefore, the plane memories
in this example do not have such a high resolving power as will be
fit for the input image screen, and these plane memories are
constructed in such a manner as to be formed of four planes of
memories having a capacity equivalent to a sheet in the Japanese
standard A4 size measuring 432 mm in its length in the subsidiary
scanning direction and 300 mm in the main scanning direction and as
to be capable of sending out those colors and those patterns which
correspond to the bit images of the editing commands written to the
four planes of memories. Therefore, these plane memories are
capable of performing such processing operations in 2.sup.4, i.e.,
sixteen different ways. The functions to be performed may be
divided roughly into two types, which are "closed area coloring"
(outline drawing painting), by which the blank area inside a closed
area containing one specified point is painted out with an
arbitrarily selected color or pattern, and "rectangular area
coloring", by which the blank area inside a rectangular area
defined by two points is painted out with an arbitrarily selected
color or pattern. These two functions are applied in such various
manners as coloring an area inside a frame, which is performed by
specifying one point within the particular area, color conversion,
which is performed by specifying an area with markers and
converting black on a black and white original sheet, which is
taken as the object of the processing operation, into an
arbitrarily selected color, shadowing or an application of a mesh
pattern, which retains the images of the original sheet, masking,
which paints out the inside area of an area with white (forming a
blank or transparent space), trimming, which, on the contrary,
paints out the region outside of a specified area with white, a
specified movement of an area, which works in a way similar to
extraction, and painting, which does not leave any image of the
original sheet in the specified area.
FIG. 11 is a chart showing examples of correspondences between the
particulars of drawings on the plane memories and the area
commands. The plane PW for a given work will, for example, take
into itself the data in binary values at the time of a scan for
outline painting or will take into itself a marker area at the time
of a marker scan. The plane PM for a work is used for performing
the image drawing operation over an area for an outline drawing
coloring operation and also for the formation of an extracted area.
Moreover, the planes P3 through 0, which are to be used for setting
up commands thereon, form bit patterns into area commands, and, for
example, the correspondences of the particulars of images drawn on
the planes P3 through 0 to the area commands in such
a case will be as shown in FIG. 11. In specific terms, it is
assumed here that an area command is to be composed of four bits,
which are "P3, P2, P1, and P0," respectively, and the area command
for the area (1) in FIG. 11 will have "0" on the plane P3 while it
has "1" on each of the planes P2, P1, and P0 and will therefore be
"0111.sub.T " (07.sub.H), and the command for the area (2), which
has "1" on the planes P3 and P1, will be "1010.sub.B "(0A.sub.H),
and the area command for the area (3), which has "0" on each of all
the planes, will be "0000.sub.B " (00.sub.H).
The digital copying machine mentioned above is capable of producing
image data in multiple chromatic gradations as processed in
accordance with their type by the processing operations performed
by the IPS, such as sharp images rendered with edge emphasis in the
case of characters or the like, smoothed images produced by removal
of moires and mesh points in the case of half-tone images like
photographs, and color images attaining a high level of fidelity in
reproduction with the vividness of colors properly adjusted, and,
additionally, the copying machine thus operating with the IPS is
not merely capable of performing such operations as trimming (i.e.,
extraction of an image) and masking (erasure of an image), as a
matter of course, but also capable of performing a rich variety of
editing functions, such as an insertion of a logogram, coloring,
painting, color conversion, negative-positive reversal, size
reduction/magnification, shift, and synthesis, in the course of
processing of an original sheet. As compared with this IPS, the
image input terminal (IIT) reads the signals representing the
images on the original sheet as decomposed into the three primary
colors, R (red), G (green), and B (blue) and thereafter converts
the signals into digital signals, and then puts out the digital
signals thus obtained. The image output terminal (IOT) puts out the
digital signals by superimposing images in mesh points formed of
the individual coloring materials in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan
(C), and black (K) on the signals. Therefore, a color image
processing apparatus, such as this color digital copying machine,
employs developing devices for the coloring materials in the
individual colors mentioned above and processes the full color data
obtained by reading the original sheet at each time, performing
scanning operations repeated four times.
FIG. 12 presents a chart showing the waveforms for a pre-scan and a
copy scan to be performed in case the image enchasing and
synthesizing function is to be performed, and FIGS. 13 (a) and 13
(b) present charts illustrating the manner how an original sheet is
to be placed in case the image enchasing and synthesizing function
is to be performed.
One of the editing functions performed by the color digital copying
machine mentioned above is an image enchasing and synthesizing
function. The image enchasing and synthesizing function consists of
taking a first original sheet (namely, a base original sheet) as a
background picture and enchasing an image in an extracted area
(namely, a trimmed area) specified on a second original sheet
(namely, an extracted original sheet) into the specified enchasing
area (namely, a masked area) in the background picture. To perform
this image enchasing and synthesizing function, the system in the
copying machine first finds the paper size by a pre-scanning
operation and then performs a copy scan based on the paper size and
the specified area.
As a copy scan is to be performed on the base original sheet and
the extracted original sheet, the copying machine will perform
scanning operations in four cycles in order to transfer the toner
images in the process colors, M, C, Y, and K as shown in FIG. 12
for each of the above-mentioned original sheets if the images to be
processed are in full colors, but, the copying machine will finish
its performance of the image enchasing and synthesizing function
with only one cycle of scanning operation since it transfers only
the toner image in black K in case the image to be processed is a
black and white image. In other words, the copying machine performs
copying operations for two sheets.
In the course of these operations, the copying machine performs a
masking operation by performing scanning operations over the entire
area of the base original sheet while it performs a trimming
operation and an image shifting operation by performing scanning
operations on the extracted area as specified on the extracted
original sheet. In the time in which these operations are
performed, the transfer unit in the IOT inhibits the discharge of
the copy paper even if the copying operations for the first
original sheet are finished and holds the copy paper until the
copying operations for the second sheet are completed. The copying
machine thus produces an enchased and synthesized image by
performing an organic combination of the area specifying operation,
the pre-scanning operation, the copy scanning operation, the
masking operation, the trimming operation, the image shifting
operation, and the paper discharge inhibiting operation in the
manner described above.
In the specification of an area for a case in which the image
enchasing and synthesizing function is to be performed, a base
original sheet 652 and an extracted original sheet 653 are placed
on the editing pad 650, and information on coordinates at two
points, namely, P.sub.11 (x.sub.11, y.sub.11), P.sub.12 (x.sub.12,
y.sub.12), P.sub.21 (x.sub.21, y.sub.21), and P.sub.22 (x.sub.22,
y.sub.22) with respect to the enchasing area (namely, the masked
area) 654 and the extracted area 655 of the two original sheets are
entered as shown in FIG. 13 (a). On the basis of the information
thus entered on the coordinates, the system determines a
rectangular area which has these two points P.sub.11 and P.sub.12
as the summit points at the opposite angles, displaying this
rectangular form as painted out, for example, in a position in the
bit map area in correspondence with the values of the coordinates
on the editing pad 650 and also displaying the extracted area 655
in the same manner. In addition, reference numeral 651 designates a
registration position.
Subsequently, the magnification for the extracted area is set by
operations on the magnification setting buttons. For example, in
case "100%" has been selected out of the three available
parameters, "100%," "automatic magnification," and "arbitrarily
selected variable magnification," the system will set the image of
the extracted area in its original size in the enchasing area and
will thereby form a synthesized image, but, in case the parameter,
"automatic magnification," has been selected, the system will
enchase the enchasing area with the image of the extracted area, as
differently magnified on the basis of the magnification in the
direction x and the magnification in the direction y both of which
the system determines on the basis of the size of the enchasing
area and the size of the extracted area, and thus forms a
synthesized image there. Further, in case "arbitrarily selected
variable magnification" has been selected, the system magnifies or
reduces the image of the extracted area at the magnification set up
for it and then forms a synthesized image by setting the extracted
image in the enchasing area.
When the start button is depressed, with the base original sheet
652 and the extracted original sheet 653 placed with its face down
on the platen glass 660 as shown in FIG. 13 (b) upon completion of
the area specification and the setup of the parameter, the system
operates the imaging unit so as to move for a pre-scan under the
entire surface of the platen glass, thereby determining the
scanning range for the base original sheet 652 and also determining
the size of the paper. Subsequently, the system separately performs
copying operations for two sheets, namely, the base original sheet
652 and the extracted original sheet 653. In addition, reference
numeral 661 designates a registration position.
On the first sheet in the copying operations, the system performs
an operation for masking the enchasing area 654 on the base
original sheet 652 in the range of the scanning operation based on
the size of the base original sheet 652 and copies the image on
this base original sheet onto a sheet of paper in the same size as
that of the base original sheet 652. Therefore, in case the color
mode is full colors rendered in four colors, the imaging unit
repeatedly performs scanning operations four times in the range of
the base original sheet 652 as shown in FIG. 12, and the system
performs a masking operation on the data of the enchasing area 654
out of the image data and copies the image of the base original
sheet, with the part of the enchasing area 654 masked, onto a sheet
of paper in the same size as that of the base original sheet
652.
Moreover, in the ordinary copying operations, a sheet of paper with
a copy formed thereon will be discharged upon completion of the
copying operation for one sheet, but, in the case of the copying
operations in the performance of this enchasing and synthesizing
function, the system will shift to the copying operation for the
next sheet, namely, the second sheet, while the copied paper is
held in the transfer unit since the system inhibits the discharge
of the first sheet of copy paper, as mentioned above, even if the
copying operation for the first sheet is completed.
On the second sheet processed in the next copying operation, the
system performs an partial moving operation for the extracted area
655 of the extracted original sheet 653. That is to say, the
imaging unit performs scanning four times in the range leading
farther to the point P.sub.22 in the state in which it has moved,
as shown in FIG. 12, from the home position to the position of the
point P.sub.21 shown in FIG. 13 (b). Then, the system extracts the
image data in the range of the extracted area 655 out of these
image data, magnifies or reduces the extracted image at the
magnification set up in advance, and performs the processing
operation for moving the image to the position of the enchasing
area 654, to put out the image data thus obtained. In this regard,
the operation for moving the extracted image as thus magnified or
reduced is performed by the IPS in the main scanning direction but
by the IIT in the subsidiary scanning direction. As the sheet of
paper on which a copy of the first original sheet has been produced
is held in the transfer unit while these moving operations are
being performed, a copying operation for making a copy of the
extracted original sheet on the same copy paper will produce he
image of the extracted area 655 of the extracted original sheet
with a high degree of accuracy in the enchasing area 654 as set on
the base original sheet 652.
However, the enchasing and synthesizing function performed in the
manner described above with the conventional color digital copying
machine can produce a synthesized copy of images only after the
copying machine performs the copying operations substantially for
two sheets of copies, and the conventional machine has to take a
longer period of time for producing a copy of enchased and
synthesized images. In addition, the enchasing and synthesizing
function performed with the conventional copying machine is faced
with the problem that it can perform the enchasing and synthesizing
function in no way other than enchasing a rectangular area (an
extracted area) of the extracted original sheet into a rectangular
area (an enchasing area) on the base original sheet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to
produce an enchased and synthesized copy of images in the same
duration of time as that required for producing an ordinary copy.
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to
perform the enchasing and synthesizing function even in an area in
a shape other than a rectangle.
In order to attain the above objects, the present invention offers
an image processing system including area setting means for setting
up a masked area on a base original sheet and a trimmed area on an
extracted original sheet with positions of the masked area and the
trimmed area set properly in alignment with a center of a
circumscribed rectangle, image input means for performing a reading
operation on the base original sheet and a reading operation on the
extracted original sheet as adjusted to the trimmed area set by the
area setting means, image processing means for performing a masking
operation on image data on the base original sheet and an enchasing
operation for image data on the extracted original sheet on the
basis of a setup of editing areas by the area setting means, and
image output means for putting out image data obtained by enchasing
and synthesizing an image of the trimmed area in the masked area on
the base original sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The manner by which the above objects and other objects, features
and advantages of the present invention are attained will be fully
evident from the following detailed description when it is
considered in light of the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of an
image processing system provided with an enchasing and synthesizing
function according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the output produced by the
enchasing and synthesizing function;
FIGS. 3 (a) through 3 (e) are sets of charts illustrating examples
of the combination of areas in the performance of the enchasing and
synthesizing function;
FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are block diagrams for explaining the setup
of the plane memory;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a description of the flow of
operations for processing the setup of areas;
FIGS. 6 (a) through 6 (f) are diagrams for explaining examples of
the processing operations for the performance of the enchasing and
synthesizing function;
FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are block diagrams illustrating an example of
the construction of the signal processing system in the image
processing system;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the construction of
the mechanism of the image processing system;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the
construction of a conventional color digital copying machine;
FIG. 10 is a chart illustrating an example of the construction of a
plane memory;
FIG. 11 is a chart illustrating an example of the correspondence
between the drawing contents of the image on the plane memory and
area commands;
FIG. 12 is a chart illustrating the waveform of a pre-scan and the
waveform of copy scans for the performance of the enchasing and
synthesizing function; and
FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are charts illustrating a description of
the manner how an original sheet is to be placed for the
performance of the enchasing and synthesizing function.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
like reference numerals or marks designate the same or
corresponding parts throughout the several drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image
processing system provided with an enchasing and synthesizing
function according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference
numeral 1 designates a base original sheet; 2, an extracted
original sheet; 3, a masked area; 4, a trimmed area; 5, an image
input section; 6, an image processing section; 7, an image output
section; 8, an editing pad; 9, a user interface (U/I); and 10, a
plane memory.
Now, referring to FIG. 1, the image input section 5 is an image
input terminal (IIT), which reads an original sheet as decomposed
into the three primary colors of light, namely, blue (B), green
(G), and red (R), by means of CCD line sensors and converts the
read signals into digital image data, and the image output section
7 is an image output terminal (IOT), which reproduces the color
images by performing exposure with a laser beam and development
Then, the image processing section 6 forms a processing system for
editing image data (namely, an image processing system: IPS), which
converts the image data in B, G, and R into the process colors,
yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) of the coloring materials for
the image data and further into black (K), performs the enchasing
and synthesizing function according to the present invention, other
editing processes, and the correcting and adjusting processes on
the image data, and furnishes the output of the coloring material
signals corresponding to the developed colors in each developing
cycle to the image output section 7. The editing pad 8 is used for
the input of information on the coordinates of an original sheet on
the occasion when an editing process is performed, and the U/I 9 is
a user interface which the user operates for performing various
kinds of operations, such as the input of the selected functions,
the input of operating commands, and other inputs by the user, and
the output of the necessary messages. The plane memory 10 is used
for setting commands for performing the enchasing and synthesizing
function and other editing operations, and the image processing
section 6 executes the enchasing and synthesizing process and other
editing processes on the image data fed into it from the image
input section 5 on the basis of the commands set in the plane
memory 10.
The enchasing and synthesizing function according to the present
invention sets the masked area 3 of the base original sheet 1 and
the trimmed area 4 of the extracted original sheet 2 in the plane
memory 10, and, when the base original sheet 1 and the extracted
original sheet 2 are read by copy scans performed by the image
input section 5, the image processing section 6 performs a
synthesizing process by which the image in the trimmed area 4 is
enchased in the image in the masked area 3 of the base original
sheet 1, with the masked area 3 cut out therefrom, and the two
images are then synthesized into a synthesized image, which the
image output section 7 puts out in the form of an enchased and
synthesized image.
Next, a description will be made of the enchasing and synthesizing
function according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block
diagram illustrating a description of an output produced by the
enchasing and synthesizing function. FIGS. 3 (a) through 3(e) are
sets of charts illustrating examples of the combination of areas
formed by the performance of the enchasing and synthesizing
function. FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are block diagrams for explaining
the setup of the plane memory. FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating
a description of the flow of operations for processing the setup of
areas.
In case the enchasing and synthesizing function is to be performed,
the masked area 3 of the base original sheet 1 and the trimmed area
4 of the extracted original sheet 2 are set operations, the image
processing section 6 first obtains an output of the base image 11
as masked by the masked area set up in the plane memory 10-1 in the
copy scan of the base original sheet 1 and then enchases the image
of the trimmed area set up in the plane memory 10-2 into the base
image 11 as masked in the copy scan of the extracted original sheet
2 and synthesizes the two images, and thereafter puts out the
enchased and synthesized image 12, as shown in FIG. 2.
In the setup of the masked area 3 and the trimmed area 4, the areas
respectively set up are written to the plane memory 10 in
accordance with such various modes as the input of the coordinates
for indicating the points for the individual areas with the base
original sheet 1 and the extracted original sheet 2 placed on the
editing pad 8, the input of coordinates entered for the areas by
operations on the numerical value keys on the user interface (U/I)
9, and the input of markers by which the marker areas are read on
the base original sheet 1 and the extracted original sheet 2 from
the image input section 5 in the prescan operation.
The present invention is designed in such a manner as to be capable
of employing a combination of specified areas formed in various
shapes by making a proper alignment of the center of such an area
through introduction of a circumscribed rectangle not only to a
rectangular area but also to areas in shapes which can be selected
arbitrarily for the extracted area and the masked area. Owing to
this feature, the present invention performs the area positioning
by bringing the center of a masked area into its proper alignment
with the center of an extracted area, using a rectangle which forms
a contact with the outer circumference of an individual area
(namely, a circumscribed rectangle), for example, in case an
extracted (i.e., trimmed) area and a masked area are in a
rectangular s ape as shown in FIG. 3 (a), or in case the masked
area is in a freely formed shape, a polygonal shape, or a traced
shape as set in contrast with the rectangular extracted area as
shown in FIG. 3 (b), or in case the masked area is in a rectangular
shape on the contrary as set in contrast with the extracted area
formed in a freely formed shape, a polygonal shape, or a traced
area as shown in FIG. 3 (d). Moreover, the area positioning is
performed by bringing the center of the extracted area into its
proper alignment with a specified point of the masked area, in case
the masked area is formed in a specified frame in relation to the
extracted area in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 3 (c), or in
case the masked area is in the same shape formed around one
specified point as set in contrast with the extracted area formed
in a free shape, a polygonal shape, or a traced shape as shown in
FIG. 3 (e). Then, in each of such cases as just described, the part
of the extracted area extending outside of the masked area is cut
off, and the part of the marked area extending outside of the
extracted area is rendered blank in white. However, in the case the
marked area and the extracted area are in an identical shape with
one point specified for them, as shown in FIG. 3 (e), it goes
without saying that there will not be any cut part or any part
rendered blank in white.
With a view to performing an enchasing and synthesizing operation
as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) through 3 (d), the present invention sets a
masked area specified as shown in FIG. 4 (a) as it is in the plane
memory 10-1, in case the reduction and magnification factor is 100%
for both of the masked area and the trimmed area, and the logic
processing section 21 performs arithmetic operations for finding a
logical product of the specified trimmed area 4 with the masked
area 3 and sets up the value of the logical product thus obtained
in the plane memory 10-2. By the effect of this processing
operation, any part of the trimmed area 4 extending outside the
masked area 3 is cut off, and any part of the masked area 3
extending outside the trimmed area 4 is rendered blank in white.
However, in the case of an enchasing and synthesizing process shown
in FIG. 3 (e), the specified trimmed area 4 is set up as it is in
the plane memory 10-2 by the logic processing section 21' shown in
FIG. 4 (b) and is also set up, with the center of the circumscribed
rectangular shape set in its proper alignment with the specified
point of the masked area 3, in the area plane memory 10-1, which is
in a shape identical with that of the trimmed area 4.
Ordinarily, the enchasing and synthesizing function is performed to
set up a desired image as a trimmed area in the extracted original
sheet, to extract the trimmed area containing the desired image
from the extracted original sheet and to enchase the extracted
image into the masked area on the base original sheet.
Consequently, it happens in some cases that a trimmed area in the
extracted original sheet is larger or smaller in comparison with
the base original sheet used at the magnification of 100%. In such
a case, it is feasible to perform a processing operation like the
one shown in FIG. 5, in order to eliminate those parts which are to
be cut off or rendered blank in white as mentioned above, and
thereby to form an image in the trimmed area as reduced or
magnified to match the size of the masked area.
In the setup of an area with a magnifying or reducing process
performed on a trimmed area, the information specifying a masked
area and a trimmed area is first entered (step S1), as shown in
FIG. 5. Then, it is examined whether or not the masked area is in a
rectangular shape, and, in case the masked area is not in any
rectangular shape, a circumscribed rectangle is found and the
masked area is set up in the plane memory (steps S2 through
S4).
Also for the trimmed area, it is examined in the same manner
whether or not the trimmed area is in a rectangular shape, and, in
case the trimmed area is not in any rectangular shape, a
circumscribed rectangle is found (steps S5 and S6).
Next, it is examined whether or not the magnification is set not at
the fixed magnification of 100%, but at a variable magnification,
and, in case the magnification is set at a variable magnification,
the magnification is found by arithmetic operations through
comparison of the rectangular shape or circumscribed rectangle of
the masked area and the rectangular shape or circumscribed
rectangle of the trimmed area (steps S7 and S8).
Then, the position for the setup of the trimmed area is found by
arithmetic operations, and the trimmed area is set up at the
magnification found by arithmetic operations performed with
reference to the setup position and stored in the plane memory
(steps S9 and S10). In this case, the trimmed area is drawn as
moved in such a manner that the positions of the central point of
the masked area and the central point of the trimmed area in the
main scanning direction will be put into agreement through
correction made of the trimmed area by the amount corresponding to
the magnification in the subsidiary scanning direction.
The masking operation in the copy scans is performed by a painting
process in white in the image processing system (IPS). In contrast
with this, the trimming operation is performed by controlling the
scans, which are performed by the image input terminal (IIT), in
respect of its movement in the subsidiary scanning direction, and
the trimming in the main scanning direction is performed by a
trimming operation performed in the image processing section. For
this reason, the proper positioning of an extracted original sheet
is effected by its movement by the image input terminal in the
subsidiary scanning direction, by its movement by the image
processing system in the main scanning direction, and the
adjustment of the magnification is made by the control of the
scanning speed of the image input terminal in the subsidiary
scanning direction and by the setup of the registering position by
the image processing system in the main scanning direction.
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) through 6 (f), a description
will be made of examples of the enchasing and synthesizing process
as applied to a combination of the individual areas.
FIG. 6 (a) illustrates an example in which a rectangle is enchased
in an area in a freely formed shape or a polygonal shape, FIG. 6
(b) illustrates an example in which a rectangle is enchased in a
trace, and FIG. 6 (c) illustrates an example in which a rectangle
is enchased in an area with specified frame. In these cases, the
IIT first scans the base original sheet after an area is set up in
the plane memory by operations on the user interface U/I, and the
IIT puts out a base image 35 as masked with an area in the plane
memory 34. Subsequently, the IIT moves in the subsidiary scanning
direction and scans the trimmed area, and a movement in the main
scanning direction is made by the line buffer of the IPS. Then,the
image 36 of the trimmed area is cut out in the area in the plane
memory 37, and the trimmed area thus cut out is synthesized with
the base image 35 by the IOT, to put out a copy produced by the
enchasing and synthesizing process. In this enchasing and
synthesizing process, it will be possible to obtain a synthesized
copy produced by masking a suit of clothes, for example, and
enchasing cloth in various patterns in the masked image.
FIG. 6 (d) illustrates an example of the processing operations for
enchasing a freely formed shape or a polygonal shape in a
rectangular shape. In this example, the IIT first scans the base
original sheet and converts the masked area in a rectangular shape
specified by the IPS to white color, thereby putting out the masked
base image 35. Subsequently, the IIT moves in the subsidiary
scanning direction and scans the trimmed area and then makes a
movement in the main scanning direction by the effect of the line
buffer of the IPS, cutting out the image 36 in the area of the
plane memory 35, synthesizing the image 36 thus cut out with the
base image 35 by the action of the IOT, and putting out a copy thus
produced by the enchasing and synthesizing process. In this
enchasing and synthesizing process, it is possible to enchase only
the extracted image to the exclusion of the background area.
FIG. 6 (e) presents a diagram illustrating an example in which a
freely formed shape or a polygonal shape is enchased in an
identical shape with one point specified for it, and FIG. 6 (f)
presents a diagram illustrating an example in which a trace is
enchased in an identical shape with one point specified for it. In
these cases, after the area is moved on the plane memory 34' in
such a way that the centers of freely formed shapes or the like are
brought into agreement with the specified point, the IIT performs a
scanning operation on the base original sheet and puts out the base
image 35 which is masked with an area in the plane memory 34'.
Subsequently, the IIT moves in the subsidiary scanning direction,
scans the trimmed area, and cuts out the image 36 in the area of
the plane memory 37, performing a movement in the main scanning
direction by the effect of the line buffer of the IPS, and then
puts out a copy of an enchased and synthesized image which is
formed by synthesis of the image 36 with the base image 35 in the
IOT. In this enchasing and synthesizing process, it is possible to
enchase a freely formed shape or the like in an arbitrarily
selected position without losing the background of the base
original sheet.
Next, an example of construction of an image processing system to
which the present invention as described above is applied. FIGS. 7
(a) and 7 (b) present block diagrams illustrating an example of the
construction of the signal processing system in the image
processing system. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of
the construction of the mechanism of the image processing
system.
With reference to FIG. 7 (a) , it is to be observed that the image
input section 100 has a sensor formed in a reduced size with three
CCD line sensors for B, G, and R, which are arranged, for example,
at right angles with the subsidiary scanning direction, and this
image input section 100 is an IIT which performs an operation for
reading an image, performing a scanning operation in the main
scanning direction in synchronization with the timing signal
generated from a timing generating circuit 12 while moving in the
subsidiary scanning direction at a speed corresponding to the
reduction ratio or the magnification ratio, and the analog image
data are converted, for example, into digital image data in eight
bits in expression of the chromatic gradations. The image data are
given a shading correction in the shading correction circuit 11 for
removal of dispersions which have occurred among the individual
pixels as the result of various factors, and the gaps among the
individual line sensors are corrected in the gap correcting circuit
13. The correction of the gaps is made by delaying the read image
data by the FIFO 14 by an amount corresponding to the gaps among
the CCD line sensors, so that the image data in B, G, and R in the
same position may be obtained at the same time. An equivalent
neutral lightness (ENL) converting circuit 15 performs a gray
balancing process on the image data, using a parameter appropriate
for the type of the original sheet and is also designed in such a
way as to be capable of making a negative-positive reversal only in
a specified area, for example, by a negative-positive reversal by
reversing the manner of using gray for each pixel with a
negative-positive reversal signal generated from an editorial
processing section 400, which will be described later.
The image data in B, G, and R which are processed in the ENL
converting circuit 15 are converted, for example, into uniform
color space signals L*, a*, and b* by a matrix circuit 16a. The
uniform color space signals L*, a*, and b* respectively represent
axes of coordinates one crossing the other at right angles, L*
expressing the luminosity while a* and b* respectively expressing
the chromaticity plane (hue and chroma). The conversion of the
image data in B, G, and R into the uniform color space signals L*,
a*, and b* makes it easier to form an interface with such external
equipments as a computer system via a memory system 200 and also
makes it easier to detect a color conversion, an editing process,
and information on images. A selector 17 performs texture synthesis
and watermark synthesis, selectively taking out the output from the
matrix converting circuit 16a or the image data from the memory
system 200, which is an interface with external equipments, or
taking both of the image data at the same time. For this purpose,
the selector 17 has the functions for performing the setting of a
synthesis ratio, arithmetic operations, and the synthesizing
process with respect to synthesized images.
An under-ground removing circuit 18 improves the quality of copies
made of such original sheets as newspapers stained with a fog,
detecting the density of the under-ground, for example, with
reference to a histogram indicating the density of original sheets
and omitting those pixels which are lower in density than that of
the under-ground. An original sheet detecting circuit 19 detects
and stores the size of the original sheet through detection of a
boundary line between the back surface of the black platen and the
original sheet and thereby finding a circumscribed rectangle. In
the under-ground removing circuit 18 and original sheet detecting
circuit 19 uses the signal L* for the information on luminosity
among the uniform color space signals L*, a*, and b*.
The editorial processing section 400 sets up area commands for
switching the editing processes, the parameters, and so forth for
each area and generates area control signals on the basis of the
area commands, and, with these, the editorial processing section
400 performs such processing operations as color editing, color
conversion, and marker color detection on the image data. Then, the
image data which have been subjected to such processing operations
are fed into the matrix converting circuit 16a and a
picture/character separating circuit (TIS circuit) 20.
The image data thus subjected to editing processes are converted
from the signals L*, a*, and b* into the toner colors, Y, M, and C
in the matrix converting circuit 16a and an area recognition is
made in the picture/character separating (TIS) circuit 20 by
distinguishing such areas as color characters, black characters,
and picture patterns (characters and half-tone images) in respect
of each of blocks respectively formed of a plural number of pixels.
The under-color removing circuit 21 generates a plate in black (K),
in correspondence with the mono-color/full-color signal, from the
image data in Y, M, and C as converted by the matrix converting
circuit 16b and performs a removal of the colors, Y, M, and C in an
equal amount, thereby putting out image data in the process colors
and further generates hue signals (Hue) by making a decision on the
hue. Moreover, when the pixels are processed for recognition of
their areas by the picture/character separating (TIS) circuit 20,
for example, a delay by 12 lines, for example, will occur to the
signals for area recognition for the formation of the blocks, and
it is the FIFO 22a and FIFO 22b, which keep the timing for
synchronizing the hue signals and the image data with such a
delay.
The reducing and magnifying circuit 23b processes the image data
for their reduction in size or for their magnification in
accordance with a specified reduction ratio or a specified
magnification ratio, and, as regards the magnification and
reduction of the image data in the subsidiary scanning direction,
the image input section 100 performs the reducing and magnifying
process by varying its scanning speed in accordance with the
specified reducing or magnifying ratio. This reducing and
magnifying circuit 23b performs a thinning-out operation and an
interpolating operation with respect to the main scanning
direction. The reducing and magnifying circuit 23a performs
reducing and magnifying operations on the area commands in such a
manner that the area for the execution of the area control
information will not be deviated in correspondence with the
reducing and magnifying operation performed on the image data. The
area control information subjected to the reducing and magnifying
operations are decoded by an area decoder 24 and applied to the
processing of the individual blocks processed. The area decoder 24
generates and distributes a parameter for a filter 25, a
coefficient for a multiplier 26, and a switching signal for the
parameter for a TRC circuit 27 from the area commands, the area
discriminating signals, and the hue signals.
The filter 25 performs the removal of moires in half tone and the
emphasis of the edges of characters, in correspondence with the
space frequency, on the image data reduced or magnified in size by
the reducing and magnifying circuit 23b. The TRC circuit 27 makes
an adjustment of density in accordance with the characteristics of
the IOT, using a conversion table. A PAL 29 is a decoder which
switches the parameter on the conversion table for the TRC circuit
27 on the basis of signals on the developing process and the
discrimination of the areas. The multiplier 26 performs arithmetic
operations based on the expression, ax+b, with respect to the image
data x, applying the coefficients a and b, to switch the
coefficient to "through" in the case of half-tone images and to
"high .gamma." in the case of characters. Then, with the multiplier
26 used together with the TRC circuit 27, it is possible to perform
color control and density control on color characters, black
characters, and picture patterns by selecting the coefficient for
each color component and a conversion table as appropriate. Also,
it is possible to place an emphasis on the edges of characters by
applying the coefficients a and b through the standardization of
the parameter for the filter 25. The image data adjusted by these
control devices are either stored in the memory system or put out
as mesh point images developed in dots by a screen generating
section 28 of an ROS 300. With the enchasing and synthesizing
process according to the present invention as applied together with
the operation of the multiplier 26, it is possible also to erase
the trimmed image getting out into the outside of the masked
area.
The editorial processing section 400 performs such operations as a
color conversion, a color editing job, and the generation of an
area control signal and receives the input of the image data L*,
a*, and b* fed out from the selector 17. Then, information on
chromaticity is converted from the system of coordinates a and b
crossing each other at right angles into C and H in the polar
coordinate system in order to make it easier to perform such
operations as color detections of the marker colors and others,
color editing, and color conversion with an LUT 415a. A color
conversion and palette 413, which has the colors used for color
conversion and color editing work on 32 kinds of palettes, performs
such processing operations as a detection of a marker color, color
editing work, and a color conversion on the image data L, C, and H
in accordance with an area command issued via a delay circuit 411a.
Thus, only the image data in the area subjected to a color
processing operation, such as a color conversion, are processed by
the color conversion and palette 413, and the image data thus
processed are converted in reverse from C and H into a and b with
reference to the LUT 415b and thereafter the image data in any area
other than those thus processed are directly put out from the
selector 416 and sent into the matrix converting circuit 16b
mentioned above.
The marker colors (three colors) which have been detected from the
image data by the color conversion and palette 413 and the four-bit
signals in the closed areas are sent to a density converting and
area generating circuit 405, and this density converting and area
generating circuit 405 performs a conversion of density of pixels
from 400 spi to 100 spi through a processing operation for
conversion into binary values, in which the value "1" is selected
in case the black pixels are found to be present in a number not
less than a predetermined number among the 16 pixels in a 4.times.4
window with the FIFOs 410a, 410b, and 410c used for the operation.
The marker signals (in closed loops and marker dots) which are
generated in this manner are written from the density converting
and area generating circuit 405 to the plane memory 403 via a DRAM
controller 402.
Moreover, the marker dot signals are delayed by three lines by the
FIFO 408 and formed into a 3.times.3 window, lest minute particles
of dust should be detected by error as markers, and the detection
of the marker dots and the generation of the coordinate values are
performed by a coordinate value generating circuit 407, and the
detected marker dots and the generated coordinate values are stored
in a RAM 406. In this regard, it is to be noted that the marker
dots are stored also in the plane memory 403, but that this process
is performed in order to prevent errors in detection.
The plane memory 403 is a memory for storing the area commands
therein for the purpose of performing a color conversion, a color
editing job, and other area editing jobs, and this plane memory 403
can permit a designation of an area by operations performed, for
example, on the editing pad and can accept area commands written to
such a designated area in it. That is to say, the area commands in
any area designated by operations on the editing pad are
transferred to a graphic controller 401 by way of the CPU bus and
then written from the graphic controller 401 to the plane memory
403 via a DRAM controller 402. The plane memory 403 is composed of
four planes and can accept 16 kinds of area commands from 0 to 15
set up on it.
The four-bit area commands which are stored in the plane memory 403
are read out of the plane memory in synchronization with an output
of image data and used for such processing operations as the
editing processes performed on the color conversion and palette and
also for such purposes as the switching of the parameters for the
image data processing system, the ENL converting circuit 15, the
matrix converting circuit 16, the selector 17, the under-color
removing circuit 21, and, furthermore, the filter 25, the
multiplier 26, the TRC circuit 27, the screen generating section
28, and so forth by way of the area decoder 24, as shown in FIG. 7
(a) . On the occasion when the area commands are read out of the
plane memory 403 and used for the editing processes performed with
the color conversion and palette 413 and for such purposes as the
switching of the parameters in the image processing system, it is
necessary to perform a conversion of the density from 100 spi to
400 spi, and this conversion is performed by the density converting
and area generating circuit 405. The conversion of the density from
100 spi to 400 spi is performed so as not to form any ruggedness on
the boundaries between the closed loop curves and between the
editing areas or the like by the effect of an interpolation made of
the data with reference to the patterns developed by forming
3.times.3 blocks, using the FIFOs 409a and 409b, in the density
converting and area generating circuit 405. The delay circuits 411a
and 411b, 1M FIFO 412, and so forth are used for the timing
adjustments to be made between the area commands and the image
data.
The color copying machine shown in FIG. 8 is constructed with a
base machine 30, which is comprised of a platen glass 31, which
accepts an original sheet loaded on its upper surface, an image
input terminal (IIT) 32, an electrical system control unit housing
33, an image output terminal (IOT) 34, a paper tray 35, and a user
interface (U/I) 36, and the copying machine is provided also with
such optional parts as an editing pad 61, an automatic document
feeder (ADF) 62, a sorter 63, and a film picture reading apparatus
comprised of a film projector (F/P) 64 and a mirror unit (M/U)
65.
The image input terminal 32, which is comprised of an imaging unit
37, a wire 38 for driving the imaging unit 37, driving pulleys 39,
and so forth, performs operations for converting the image
information on a color original sheet as decomposed into the three
primary colors of light, namely, blue (B), green (G), and red (R)by
means of a color filter provided in the imaging unit 37 and read
with CCD line sensors, then converts the image information thus
converted into digital image data in B, G, and R in multiple
chromatic gradations, and furnishes an output of the digital image
data to an image processing system. The image processing system is
accommodated in the electrical system control unit housing 33 and
performs various kinds of processing operations, such as various
kinds of conversions, correcting processes, and editing processes,
in order to receive the input of the image data in B, G, and R and
to enhance the picture quality of the reproduced images in terms of
color, chromatic gradations, accurate rendition of fine details,
and so forth and to improve the overall reproducing performance of
the color copying machine, converts the image data obtained in the
three primary colors of light into the primary toner colors,
namely, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), converts
the toner signals representing chromatic gradations into toner
signals in binary values for on and off, and puts out the toner
signals to the image output terminal 34. The image output terminal,
which is provided with a scanner 40 and a photoreceptor belt 41,
converts the image data into light signals in a laser output unit
40a, forms a latent image corresponding to the original image on
the photoreceptor belt by means of a polygon mirror 40b, an
F/.theta. lens 40c, and a reflecting mirror 40d, transfers the
developed image onto printing paper transported from the paper tray
35 and then discharges a color copy from the copying machine.
The image output terminal 34 is provided with the photoreceptor
belt 41, which is driven with a driving pulley 41a, provided also
with a cleaner 41b, a charge Corotron 41c, a developing unit 41d
for each of the process colors, Y, M, C, and K, and a transfer
device 41e, which are arranged in the proximity of the
photoreceptor belt 41 and the driving pulley 41a, and provided also
with a transfer unit 42, which is arranged in a position
confronting the transfer device 41e. Then, a paper transport
mechanism takes up a sheet of printing paper as it comes
transported from the paper tray 35 via a paper transport path 35a,
and, after the latent images respectively formed in the process
colors, Y, M, C, and K onto the printing paper by turning the
transfer unit 42 four times in the case of a full-color copying
process in four colors, the paper transport mechanism transports
the paper from the transfer unit 42 via a vacuum transport unit 43
to a fusing unit 45, in which the transferred images are fused on
the paper, and thereafter discharges the paper from the copying
machine. A single sheet inserter (SSI) 35b selectively feeds
printing paper by manual paper-inserting operation into the paper
transport path 35a.
The user interface 36, which is used by the user for selecting the
desired functions and for giving instructions on the conditions for
executing the selected functions, is provided with a color display
unit 51 and a hard control panel 52, and it is designed to accept
instructions given directly by operating the "soft buttons" on the
screen in combination with an infrared touch board 53.
The electrical system housing unit 33 accommodates a plural number
of control boards constructed separately for the individual
processing units including the image input terminal 32, the image
output terminal 34, the user interface 36, the image processing
system, the film projector 64, which were described above, and
additionally the machine control board (MCB), which controls the
operations of such mechanisms as the image output terminal 34, the
automatic document feeder 62, and the sorter 63, as well as the SYS
board which controls all these units and devices in the total
system.
Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the preferred
embodiment described above, but may be effectively modified in
various manners. For example, the example of embodiment given above
shows a process whereby the base original sheet is put out in black
and white and the extracted original sheet is synthesized in three
colors, and yet this process may be formed in reverse to it as
described above, and it is also feasible to put out both of these
original sheets in full color. Also, the reducing and magnifying
circuit is arranged in a position in the downstream of the
editorial processing section, which performs the enchasing and
synthesizing process, but this reducing and magnifying circuit may
be arranged in an upstream position.
As described hereinabove, the present invention offers an image
processing system which sets up a masked area on a base original
sheet and a trimmed area on an extracted original sheet as editing
areas by keeping these areas in their positions properly aligned
with the center as determined on the basis of a circumscribed
rectangle, so that the system is capable of performing the
enchasing and synthesizing process in an area other than a
rectangular area, and, as the system sets up such a trimmed area by
arithmetic operations performed for finding the logical product
with the masked area, the system is capable of synthesizing only
the images present in the area thus set up, excluding the
unnecessary background part on the extracted original sheet.
Furthermore, the system performs a reading scan once on the base
original sheet and a reading scan three times on the extracted
original sheet, putting out an image formed by the developing
process in black at the reading scan performed on the base original
sheet and putting out the image in the trimmed area by the
developing process in three colors at the reading scans performed
on the extracted original sheet mentioned above, so that the base
original sheet thus rendered in black and white and the extracted
original sheet thus rendered in three colors are synthesized, these
enhanced operating features achieving the capability of the system
to put out a enchased and synthesized copy by copying operations
required for the production of one copy in full color.
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